Tool plate for abrasive surface smoothing

Abstract

An improved abrasive tool plate for surface smoothing of wood, plastic and other soft materials comprises a thin steel plate, on one side of which a pattern of etch fluid resistant material has been applied, followed by etching away the surface between the pattern elements down to a determined depth. Parts of the steel plate protected by the etch fluid resistant material pattern will remain between the etched away parts as protruding elements with flat tops, which can serve as cutting elements. According to the invention, the tool plate is thereafter rolled in multiple steps between one rigid roller with raised parallel strips and on elastically deformable roller to deform the plate so that the etched side shows parallel ridges. Preferably, the ridges are formed in two different directions, so that they form a rhombic pattern.

I claim: 
     
       1. Etched tool plate for abrasive surface smoothing of soft materials, comprising a thin metal plate, one side of said metal plate being partly recessed by etching such that non-etched portions of said plate constitute protruding cutting elements having flat tops, said metal plate being slightly deformed from a planar state to define a system of parallel intersecting ridges therein, the deformation of said plate being asymmetric about a mean plane of said plate such that said ridges are relatively sharp in section and delineate valleys which are relatively smooth therebetween a first plurality of said cutting elements being disposed on crests of said ridges with flat tops thereof disposed substantially parallel to said mean plane and a second plurality of said cutting elements being spaced from said crests with the flat tops thereof inclined so as to form acute angles with said mean plane. 
     
     
       2. Etched tool plate according to claim 1, wherein the ridges are linear and uninterrupted along their length. 
     
     
       3. Etched tool plate according to claim 1, wherein each ridge extends linearly from an edge of said plate to another edge thereof.